please designate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please designate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting someone to assign or specify a particular role, task, or item. Example: "Please designate a team leader for the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Please designate Lung cancer in honor of Wayne P. Garten.

The New York Times

Please make check payable to: Anne O'Hare McCormick Memorial Fund Inc., a tax-exempt charitable entity, Important: on check memo, please designate "Joan O'Sullivan Scholarship".

The New York Times

Please designate the gift "Storm Relief".

Huffington Post

Please designate online contributions to Sidney's program that she has supported for so many years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I want to advise people watching at home who are playing that now-popular drinking game — you take a shot whenever the Republicans say something that's not true — please assign a designated driver," he said.

The New York Times

"I want to just advise people watching at home playing the now-popular drinking game, if you take a shot whenever the Republicans say something that's not true, please assign a designated driver," Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y).

Huffington Post

Please specify.

BMC Health Services Research

BrazilFoundation To make a donation visit BrazilFoundation.org and please make sure to designate the donation in memory of Luiz.

The New York Times

In case you need a designated driver, please check out this website to find a free/discounted sober ride service in your area.

Huffington Post

Please note that VEH designates animals that received only the vehicle in which the acetaminophen is dissolved.

Plosone

If you plan to drink more than 1 or 2 glasses of wine, more than one or two shots; then please play it safe and designate a driver.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please designate" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly specifies what is being assigned or specified to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Please designate a budget for marketing."

Common error

Avoid using "please designate" in casual conversation; opt for simpler alternatives like "please assign" or "please name" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please designate" functions as a polite directive or request. It's typically used to ask someone to assign a role, responsibility, or category. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English, reinforcing its function as a standard directive.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "please designate" is a grammatically sound and usable English phrase primarily functioning as a polite request for assignment or specification. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s most appropriate in professional and formal contexts, like news articles, scientific papers, or business communications, and less so in informal settings. While interchangeable with alternatives like "please assign" or "please specify", it carries a slightly more formal tone. Remember to use it when clarity and precision are paramount, ensuring the object of designation is clearly defined. Though not very frequent, as seen in Ludwig's examples, mastering its use can add sophistication to your formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly assign

Replaces 'designate' with 'assign' and uses 'kindly' instead of 'please' for a slightly more formal tone.

please specify

Substitutes 'designate' with 'specify', focusing on providing detailed information.

please appoint

Replaces 'designate' with 'appoint', suggesting a more official assignment of a role or responsibility.

can you nominate

Changes the structure to a question format using 'nominate', implying a suggestion or proposal.

would you assign

Presents the request as a question using 'assign', making it slightly less direct.

please indicate

Replaces 'designate' with 'indicate', focusing on pointing out or showing something clearly.

please choose

Substitutes 'designate' with 'choose', suggesting a selection from multiple options.

please name

Replaces 'designate' with 'name', implying the act of identifying something with a specific title or label.

could you stipulate

Uses 'stipulate' instead of 'designate', indicating a more formal and precise requirement.

I kindly request you to assign

Adds 'I kindly request you to assign' as a very polite and formal alternative, significantly altering the sentence structure.

FAQs

How can I use "please designate" in a sentence?

"Please designate" is used to politely request someone to assign or specify something. For example, "Please designate a team leader for the project." Other options include "please assign" or "please specify".

What is a more formal alternative to "please designate"?

A more formal alternative could be "kindly designate" or "we request that you designate". In official communication, clarity and precision are key.

Is it correct to say "designate, please"?

While grammatically understandable, placing "please" after "designate" is less common and can sound awkward. It's better to use "please designate" for a smoother flow.

What's the difference between "please designate" and "please assign"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Assign" often implies a task or responsibility, while "designate" can also refer to specifying something. Consider the specific context when choosing between "please designate" and "please assign".